<p>I am a Canadian student with a gpa of about 3.58 - 3.70 (I have gotten mixed calculations). My SAT scores were math: 570, reading: 660, and writing: 640, giving me an overall score of 1870.</p>
<p>My extra curriculars:</p>
<ul>
<li>School soccer team in grade 9 and 10</li>
<li>Badminton team in grade 10</li>
<li>Volunteer at city's soccer club</li>
<li>Competitive soccer player since I was 10</li>
<li>Volunteer at local fair in grade 11</li>
<li>Coached a child's soccer team in grade 11</li>
<li>Student prefect grade 12</li>
<li>Student athletic Council grade 12</li>
</ul>
<p>(this is off the top of my head)</p>
<p>I ALSO AM NOT APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID.</p>
<p>I have a few questions.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What do you think my chances are of getting into Penn State University Park, Purdue, U of Illinois, or U of Maryland? I plan on applying to the Communications program. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you think it's wise to apply after this scandal and the potential of the death penalty with regard to Penn State?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you get your SAT up to a 2k I could see you in at all of the schools listed. But for now i’d say your in at Illinois and Purdue(most definite) but in order to be a stellar candidate for admission to Penn State and UMd get that SAT up to a 2k or take the ACT.</p>
<p>I don’t see any problem with applying to Penn State after the scandal and with the possibility of the death penalty. Penn State is still a great university that will offer you many opportunities after graduation. The alumni base is one of the strongest in the country and employers employ more Penn State grads than grads of other colleges and universities. If you really like Penn State, then the scandal should not stop you from applying. You probably have a good shot of getting into Penn State, so apply there and then you can decide whether or not you want to attend.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input!! I’ve been hearing so many mixed things about my chances, particularly at Penn State and Maryland. Of course, I know no one can really give me a concrete answer as only admissions will decide… but I really want to know where I stand.</p>
<p>I’m applying this fall and I’m so stressed.</p>
<p>As for my SAT marks, I won’t be raising those any more.</p>
<p>`If you look at Collegeview.com, the University of Illinois has higher ACT/SAT averages than the other three schools on your list. Maryland is second, Purdue is third, and Penn State fourth. As a result, unless one of those other three schools has a world-renowned Communications department, I doubt that it would be more difficult for you to get into one of them over the U of I.</p>
<p>As far as the scandal at Penn State is concerned, I’ve read many different opinions online. There are quite a few alumni of other Big Ten schools that want the school to be forced to shut down the fb program for a few others, while a smaller percentage of people would like to see them kicked out of the Big Ten. If I had to guess, the most likely outcome is that Penn State won’t be allowed to play in a bowl game anytime soon.</p>
<p>This seems like a pretty solid app. I would attempt to highlight the impact soccer has had on you in your life and how it has been your passion since you were younger. I think if you focus on your strong suit/passion (which seems to be soccer) and write an essay about how you take your strong skills/passions and use them to further your community (volunteer soccer coach) it would make a strong essay. Top that off with some good recs and possibly increase your SAT scores and I think you will be set at all of these. Glad I could help!</p>
<p>Raise the SAT scores to around a 2000 and I’d say UMD is a good chance (the only issue you could run into is that the state restricts ho many non-Maryland residents they can admit). You should be good for Perdue and U of Illinois.
I’s say you ought to be fine with Penn State, the coach isn’t there anymore and you would’ be playing American Football (sorry, habit).</p>
<p>I think UMD could accept you (I live in maryland, and know many people how go there)…you fall right into their median range. Its a toss up being out of state.</p>
<p>Websurfer4525, I am definitely going to keep this in mind on my application. While I am not as into soccer as I used to be, soccer is definitely a strong aspect of my life that I’d like to amplify through my application.</p>
<p>I would say you are definitely in at perdue, with a solid chance for U of I, I don’t know much about the others! I would say try and raise your SAT a bit to have the best shot.</p>